This free course is an introduction to the Masks of Commedia Dell'arte. It's a practical course for actors, drama students, drama teachers, directors, and anyone interested in discovering the archetypes of Commedia dell'Arte and their physicality. 

What will you learn in this course?

• These videos provide an overview of the masks of Commedia dell'Arte. This series of practical sessions will focus on the physicality of these characters and the basic techniques of acting with masks.
• We will explore the servants, The masters, the Captains, and the young lovers looking at their driving forces, postures, gestures, and walks.
• In each lesson, you will learn each Mask's physical vocabulary and how to transform into these grotesque characters. You will have the opportunity to work practically and expand your skills as a physical performer.
• This course is complemented by a series of sessions on theory (historical context and characters).

Who should take this course?

• If you are a teacher or a director you will find useful activities and exercises to guide your actors and/or students to approach these characters for the first time.
• These videos are also used by 3D animation tutors. They offer an excellent tool to develop 3d animation characters. 

The course consists of 8 videos:

• Session 1 - Introduction
• Session 2 - Warm-up stage 1 and stage 2
• Session 3 - The servants: Zanni
• Session 4 - The servants: Arlecchino
• Session 5 - The servants: La Servetta (aka Colombina, Franceschina, Corallina)
• Session 6 - The masters: Pantalone
• Session 7 - The masters: il Dottore (the doctor)
• Session 8 - The foreigner: il Capitano (the captain)
• Session 9 - The youth: Gli Innamorati or Amorosi (the young lovers)